Premier Cruise Line Management Changes

Details

August 18, 1992

Premier Cruise Line is going through a second management shakeup in less than a year. Even its long-standing relationship with Walt Disney is said to be under review.

According to Nick Raga, President of Premier, the cruise line is reviewing its contract with Disney because other cruise lines are offering similar packages. Sources said the only thing that separates Premier from the competition is that the cruise line can call itself the "Official Cruise Line of Disney World" and have Disney characters on board. It is said that Rago's objective is to have a more exclusive agreement with Disney. The contract between Disney and Premier expires in 1994.

A major reorganization also took place last August (1991) after the purchase agreement between Carnival Cruise Lines and Dial Corporation, parent company to Premier, fell through, whereby Dial would sell Premier to Carnival.

Last fall, however, it appeared as if Premier was able to "relaunch" itself with a strengthened executive team, aggressive marketing, large outside sales staff, simplified product, upgrading of ships, and more emphasis on travel agents.

In recent months, however, Premier has lost most of its senior executives, and both of its original founders have left.

Rago is now said to be analyzing management and staff which could lead to job reassignments or layoffs.